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2022 Best Value Colleges for Elementary Education (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

44 Ranked Colleges
1,523 Degrees Awarded
$13,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Elementary Education is the 19th most popular major in the country with 40,622 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across Illinois, there were 1,523 elementary education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 44 colleges that offer a degree in elementary education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality elementary education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the elementary education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Elementary Education Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Elementary Education (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 37 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k list, UChicago has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Chicago is $2,712 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Chicago Elementary Education Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 71 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

UIUC also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $5,477 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UIUC Elementary Education Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 57 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $10,648 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UIC.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Elementary Education Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 60 students in 2019-2020.

SIUE did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for SIUE is $8,055 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at SIUE

#5

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Illinois State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 255 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $14,470 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Illinois State Elementary Education Report

#6

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. NIU is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 61 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $15,281 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NIU.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Northern Illinois University

#7

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Eastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 55 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k list, EIU has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Illinois University is $12,350 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Eastern Illinois University Elementary Education Report

#8

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

With a ranking of #8, Governors State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in University Park, Illinois, and it awarded 21 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Governors State University is $10,872 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at GSU

#9

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Xavier University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 28 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for SXU is $11,266 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Elementary Education at Saint Xavier University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 38 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also took the #18 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $13,658 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at SIUC

#11

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wheaton, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Illinois also took the #4 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,440 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Wheaton College Illinois Elementary Education Report

#12

Lewis University

Romeoville, Illinois

Lewis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Romeoville, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 49 students in 2019-2020.

Lewis also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $12,821 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lewis University.

The low student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Lewis University Elementary Education Report

#13

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Aurora University is a medium-sized school located in Aurora, Illinois that handed out 31 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora also took the #15 spot in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Aurora University is $14,103 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Aurora University

#14

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Macomb, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 74 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend WIU is $13,942 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Elementary Education at Western Illinois University

#15

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, National Louis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. National Louis University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 143 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

NLU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend National Louis University is $14,178 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Elementary Education at National Louis University

#16

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

University of Illinois at Springfield came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $9,771 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Springfield.

Read more about Elementary Education at University of Illinois at Springfield

#17

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Joliet, Illinois, and it awarded 11 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $15,847 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Saint Francis.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Saint Francis Elementary Education Report

#18

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Illinois College is located in Jacksonville, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Illinois College is $11,376 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Illinois College Elementary Education Report

#19

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #19, Lake Forest College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lake Forest is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lake Forest, Illinois. It awarded 4 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k list, Lake Forest has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,192 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lake Forest.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Lake Forest Elementary Education Report

#20

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Decatur, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 20 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2019-2020.

Millikin also made our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $17,656 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Millikin.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Millikin University Elementary Education Report

#21

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Peoria, Illinois, and it awarded 43 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

Bradley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bradley University is $17,205 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Bradley University Elementary Education Report

#22

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Augustana is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Rock Island, Illinois. It awarded 18 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k list, Augustana has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Augustana is $20,355 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Augustana

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 46 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,816 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northeastern Illinois University.

Read more about Elementary Education at Northeastern Illinois University

#24

Monmouth College

Monmouth, Illinois

Monmouth College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Monmouth is a private not-for-profit institution located in Monmouth, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Monmouth is $13,231 for illinois elementary teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Elementary Education at Monmouth

#25

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Elementary Teaching Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. River Forest, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

Dominican U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Elementary Education Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Dominican U is $17,060 for Illinois Elementary Teaching students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Dominican U Elementary Education Report

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Vgrigas.

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